If you need to get into your PM doc how long do you have to wait? As anyone who read my last thread knows I have been dealing with a massive increase in pain levels and finally called my doc to make an appt and now have to wait till 1/25 to get into see him. This has started to be the longest month ever! I have however started a pain journal at an amazing pain journal site that gives you body maps and symptoms and a place to put everything you try to reduce your pain and allows you to pull specific reports on thing such as your average high pain level, your daily body charts or even what symptoms co-exist with your pain. I am hoping that having 30 days of this plus any other notes will help me and him fnd a better way to manage this pain. I cannot handle getting only 2hrs of relief every 8 hrs anymore. My days are no longer productive and I am just unable to get all I need to do done! Heck, I am pretty sure I would have been fired for being absent from work if I was not lucky enough to work from home!

Well I have everyone is having a great Sunday!

Sarrah

Hysterectomy at 25

4 laproscopic surgeries since 24

Cervical Stenosis between C 2 and C6 and two bulging disks located C2/3 and C4/5

_____________________________________________

Meds - percocet 3x day :

____________________________________________

In the United States today, there is a pervasive tendency to treat children as adults, and adults as children. The options of children are thus steadily expanded, while those of adults are progressively constricted. The result is unruly children and childish adults. ~Thomas Szasz

Now my appointments are made in advance. One procedure , one general check up. Weather I need them or not and have to show up. Anything I need inbetween is done via telephone or if they need to see me, I get squeezed in atfter hours at the end of their day.

*huggs*

dani

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stood

Sarrah,So sorry you need to wait so long. Usually my PM will get me in the same day or next day (not counting weekends, of course). Maybe it's time to hunt around for a PM who doesn't take on so many patients s/he doesn't have time to treat emergent cases?

I know you have been having a lot of problems and wish that wasn't the case at all. Does your PM dr not have you set up on regular scheduled appts such as every month or every other month? Most of us have regular scheduled appts. I know my prior one if you tried moving an appt earlier you were out of luck. My current PM dr see's you the same day or no more than a 2 day wait. You will be worked in regardless. Also if the pain gets out of hand, you are to call and she will either change up the meds till the next scheduled appt or she will ok an increase in your pump and the nurse can take care of adjusting the pump. She does not leave her patients hanging and that is so refreshing. After one year I am still learning to adapt to her way of doing things which is so much better than the prior dr. My prior PM dr had several offices and he spread himself too thin and being out of the main office all the time really hurt his patients there.

Where did you find this pain journal at may I ask? Sounds pretty comprehensive. I hope your dr takes the time to review it at this appt and gets the picture of what you are dealing with. Hang in there the best you can.

Wow sounds really awful to be left so long. Is it just the receptionist that knows you're in such pain, have you talked to your doctor on the ph? Is it possible? When I crash I leave a message and generally she gets back to me that evening or the next day. Same as the others , she will squash me in if she needs to see me to change meds.

The pain journal I use is located on the Reliefsinsite.com website. It is really easy to use and gives you lots of places to put info into it.

As for the doc we have standard check-up appointments every 3 months and if we get a shot or procedure done you see him one month afterwards. I have never pushed to be seen quickly so maybe that is why they did not put me in sooner. I think I might just have to give them a call and see if I can get in sooner.

thanks

Sarrah

Hysterectomy at 25

4 laproscopic surgeries since 24

Cervical Stenosis between C 2 and C6 and two bulging disks located C2/3 and C4/5

_____________________________________________

Meds - percocet 3x day :

____________________________________________

In the United States today, there is a pervasive tendency to treat children as adults, and adults as children. The options of children are thus steadily expanded, while those of adults are progressively constricted. The result is unruly children and childish adults. ~Thomas Szasz

Revision for failed Back surgery, pseudoarthrosis L4-5, hemilaminectomies L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, bmp added to revision fusion, replaced two bent screws that were reversing out of vertebrae - August 2, 2007

On going back pain and neuropathic pain, failed back surgery, consult for scs, decided not to do that at this point.

Adhesive Arachnoiditis also......just what I didn't need..9/08- adding bilateral ulnar neuropathy with severe compression to the mix. They want me to see a surgeon for ulnar nerve surgery, but I'm not biting.

Oh, I only have to wait a few hours if I need to see my PM. I have yet to have to wait more than 4 hours to get in if I need to. They leave a couple of appointment slots open in the event that someone has an emergency so they avoid having to make patients wait days or weeks to see someone. If you have a severe increase in pain, there is no way that the patient should have to wait weeks to see someone. You need help now.PLIF/TLIF Fusion w/Instrumentation L4-5 Spondololysthesis L4-5.Laminectomies L4-5, foraminal stenosis L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, herniations L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, central canal stenosis L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1

POST OP CES 3/30-06

Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel, bilateral numbness legs and feet

Revision for failed Back surgery, pseudoarthrosis L4-5, hemilaminectomies L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, bmp added to revision fusion, replaced two bent screws that were reversing out of vertebrae - August 2, 2007

On going back pain and neuropathic pain, failed back surgery, consult for scs, decided not to do that at this point.

Adhesive Arachnoiditis also......just what I didn't need..9/08- adding bilateral ulnar neuropathy with severe compression to the mix. They want me to see a surgeon for ulnar nerve surgery, but I'm not biting.

Well I called and my doc is out on vacation till the 25 which is why I got that day as an appointment. I would see his partner but I am not really good with new docs (or new people) so I will just wait it out. Thank heavens for heating pads, hot baths and warm kitties to cuddle with!

Thanks for everything,Sarrah

Hysterectomy at 25

4 laproscopic surgeries since 24

Cervical Stenosis between C 2 and C6 and two bulging disks located C2/3 and C4/5

_____________________________________________

Meds - percocet 3x day :

____________________________________________

In the United States today, there is a pervasive tendency to treat children as adults, and adults as children. The options of children are thus steadily expanded, while those of adults are progressively constricted. The result is unruly children and childish adults. ~Thomas Szasz

Big hugs Sarrah, Just pace yourself and take it easy. If the pain becomes even worse or completely unmanageable go see the other Doc and put up with the re telling for the sake of relief. I'm sure they have your file there for him/her to read through anyway.